Moist air heating and cooling system



Jan. 8, 1946. l.. E. RoLLlNs 2,392,553

MO-IST AIR HEATING AND COOLING', SYSTEM Filled may 5, 1945 fum MQ 1NVENTOR.

Patented Jan. 8, 1946 UNITED STATE s PATENT OFFICE MOIST AIR HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM 1a claims.

This invention -relates to a moist air heating and cooling system in which moist air is used as a heat conveying medium, both singly and in combination with circulated air. L

One object of the invention is to provide a simpler and more efllcient system than steam or vapor for heating, using lower pressures, lower temperatures, and lighter equipment, omitting steam traps and air vents, and supplying heat at lower temperatures than required to vaporize water with heat.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a heating system with better circulation than hot water with less time for heating up, lighter equipment and without danger of freezing in exposed portions during .periods when not in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a heating system that requires smaller quantities of air and smaller air ducts than hot air heating systems'using sensible heat only as the basis of heat transfer, and allows the heat dissipating surfaces to be located anywhere in the enclosures.

Another object of the invention is to differen- I tiate'in the humidity of each of the enclosures served by the same system of heated. moistair.

A further object of the invention is to allow the use of tap water, well water or refrigeratedwater for cooling during summer seasons and for preventing the temperature of the enclosures from getting too warm during mild weather conditions of the heating seasons.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a diagram of the complete'system applied in four diierent ways to four separate enclosures.

Figure 2 shows the water heating means, the air saturating'means, and the economizer means assembled in one case.

Figure 3 shows the water heating means and the air saturating means combined with the air heating means in one case.

Referring specifically to Figure 41; the case Ill encloses the water heatingmeans comprising the furnace II, with the smoke ue I2, the gas supply pipe I3, with the automatic control valve I4, the pipe I5 supplying the'pilot light, the make u-p water supply pipe I6 with the valve I1. Recirculated water is supplied through the pipe I8 and heated water is drawn away by the pipe i9.

The case 20 encloses the air saturator, com? prlsing the air inlet 2 I, the a'ir outlet 22, the make up water supply-pipe 23 controlled by the float valve 24, the recirculated water outlet 25, the heated water supply pipe 26 with the spray nozzles 21, and the overow pipe 28. Recirculated description for the operation of valve 61.

water is supplied to the case 20 from the case I0, through the pipe I9, the check valve 29 by the pump 30 through the pipe 26. Cold water is supplied to the pipe 26, controlled by the automatic valve 3|.

The case 32 encloses the economizer, comprising the smoke iiue I2, the water supply pipe 25 with the spray nozzles 33, and the water discharge pipe I8.

Air is drawn through the return ducts 34, 35, 36, 31, and 38 by the fan 40 and discharged through the air inlet 2I and the air outlet 22 of the saturator, through the ducts 4 I, 42, controlled by the damper 43, and through the ducts 44, 45, 46, 41, and 48, through the radiators 50, 5I, 52, and 53, and through the heating coils 54 and 55 by the ducts 56, 51, 58, 59, and 48, controlled by the hand valves 6I, 62, 63, 64, 65, and 66, and the automatic valve 61. The hand valves 6I to can be individually operated by thermostatic valves to control the amount of moist air supplied to each room if desired, similar to the followrlng e thermostat- 68 in the return air duct 68 operates the automatic valve 61 to control the temperature of the air in the return air duct 69 during the heating season, which controls the-temperature of the air in the enclosure 10.

The enclosure 10 is heated and `ventilated by means of recirculated air from the enclosure 18 drawn through the duct 69 into the enclosure 1 I, through the damper 12, mixed with fresh air drawn from outside through the damper 13, through the heating 0011.55 by the fan 14, which draws the air through the duct 15 and discharges through the duct 16, controlled by the damper 11 and discharging into the enclosure 1li.

The temperature of the enclosure 12 can also be controlled during the heating season by means of a thermostat which controls the operation, automatically, of the motor 18,-which drives the fan 19 forblowing air through the heating coil 54. The average temperature of the enclosures can be automatically controlled by means of the thermostat 60 which controls theoperation of the gas supply valve I4.

During mild weather of the heating season when the system overheats the enclosures and the `average temperature of the enclosures exceeds some predetermined temperature for which the thermostat 8l is set, the said thermostat 8l operates the automatic valve 3l to supply cold water through the pipe 26 to the spray nozzles 21 to lower the temperature of the air passing through the saturator and to lower the temperature of the enclosures.

The temperature of the enclosures can be maintained by using gas for fuel, or oil, coal or electricity. In case coal is to be used and the thermostat 80 used to operate dampers instead of a gas valve, the operation of the thermostat 8| as described in the preceding paragraph becomes more important. y

The humidity of the enclosures 12 and 14 can be individually controlled as shown for enclosure 13, which comprises the humidostat 82 controlling the automatic valve 83 which admits water vapor 'from moist air duct 48 into the enclosure to maintainy proper humidity conditions during the heating season.

The humidity of the enclosure 10 is maintained by means of the humidostat 84 in the return air duct 89 which operates the automatic valve 85 discharging water vapor from the moist air duct 48 into the air supply for the enclosure 10 to maintain proper humidity conditions during the heating season.

The moist air circuit has a high vapor pressure and is kept as a closed circuit by means of the seal of water in the loop 86 of the overiiow pipe 28. Increase of air pressure is caused by increase in temperature and by air in the supply water. Loss of air pressure is caused by the means of humidiflcation. The height of the water seal should be slightly in excess of the maximum pressure head required.

The same system can be used for summer cooling and by using the thermostat 8|. to control the average temperature of the enclosures without any changes. In this case the thermostat 8| would automatically control the amount of cold water supplied by the valve 3| to control the temperature of the enclosure 13. The individual control of temperature for any or all of the enclosures can be attained by changing or adding automatic valves to the hand valves for regulating the amount of cold air circulated in contact with the enclosures. The enclosure 12 can be further controlled for temperature by automatically controlling the operation of the motor and fan.

The temperature of the enclosure 10 can be further varied by varying the proportions of fresh and recirculated air during mild heating seasons or hot weather. The air leakage around doors and windows will generally allow for sufficient fresh air to be taken into the system to maintain static balance.

The individual control of the enclosure 10 for summer cooling is attained by means of the thermostat -81 located in the return air duct 69 and regulating the amount of moist, cold air passing through the cooling coil 55 by means of the automatic valve 88 to control the temperature of the air in the discharge duct 16 to control the temperature of the enclosure 10 as measured in the return duct 89. f

The thermostats, humidostats, and automatic is circulated through the enclosure valves herein referred to are intended to cover Referring to Figure 2; the case 89 containing the furnace 90 surrounded with water and having the smoke pipe 9|, in the lower portion, with recirculated water supply through the pipe 92 and make up water supplied through the pipe 93, controlled by the valve 94. The upper part of the vcase has an air inlet 95 from thelduct 90 and an air outlet 01 for the duct 98, with the water' sprays |03 supplying water over the smoke ilueVV 9| to preheat the water by utilizing waste heat from the nue gases. The economizer has the drain pipe 92 supplying recirculated water to the lower section.

The use of the economizer in both Figures 1 and 2 is the same. Figure 2 is a simpliiied'drawing of Figure 1, and has all of the attachments of Fizure 1, the only difference being the connection, that Figure l is shown in three parts and Figure 2 is shown all assembled in one case for simplicity.

Figure 3 shows a case |04, containing a furnace |05 with a smoke flue |06, and inlet for air |01, an outlet for air |08, a space for water,y and a space for Water and air to mix |09 surrounding the furnace |05, a recirculated water supply pipe ||0, and sprays The case has a make up water supply pipe H2, controlled by the valve I I3. Recirculated water is drawn from the case through the pipe ||4 by the pump |15 and discharged through the pipe ||0 and the sprays ||I.

Figures 2 and 3 are simplied diagrams of alternate equipment to that shown in Figure 1 and are intended to have the same attachments; where possible, such as cooling water supply, overilow pipes, water seals, etc.

The heating radiators and heating coils as indicated in Figure 1 are also intended for cooling, and the system changes from a heating system to a. cooling system, automatically by changing the temperature of the water in the saturator.

The reason for using moist air instead of dry air as a heat conveying medium is due to its much greater heat carrying capacity and to take advantage of releasing the heat o1' vaporization when condensing the moisture similar to a steamy system without the high pressure and temperature.

There is less heat loss from the ducts carrying moist airthan from steam or hot water piping due to a lower factor of conductivity. The overall efflciency for a system heating water and spraying the water in contact with a ow of air is greater than a boiler producing steam by evaporation under pressure due to the lower temperatures required and the greater surface contact of the heated water with the air.

The water for building service can be heated by the same system using the water vheating and storage tank |20, in the enclosure |2|, and insulated with the lining |22. Heated, moist air |2| and around the tank |20 by the ducts |23 and |24 and controlled by the valves |25 and |3|. Heated air can be circulated through the heatingcoil |26 in indirect contact with the water in the tank |20 and is regulated by the valves |21 and |28. Cold water is supplied to the tank |20 by the pipe |29 and hot water is discharged from the tank by the pipe |30.

What I claim is:

l. The method of heating oneor more enclosures, which comprises heating water to a temperature less than that of boiling, circulating the heated water in direct contact with a iiow of air l and circulating the heated air in indirect contact with the said enclosures.

2. 'I'he method of heating an enclosure, which comprises heating water, circulating the heated water in direct contact with a primary circuit of air, circulating the primary circuit of heated air in indirect contact with a secondary circuit of air, wasting a portion of air from the secondary circuit of heated air and replenishing with fresh air, and recirculating the said secondary circuit of heated air through the said enclosure.

3. The method of controlling the temperature of an enclosure, which comprises heating water, circulating the heated water in direct contact with a flow of air, circulating the heated air in indirect contact with the said enclosure, and automatically regulating the temperature of the said heated water to control the temperature of the said enclosure.

4. The method of controlling the temperature of an enclosure, which comprises heating water, circulating the heated water in direct contact with a primary circuit of air, circulating the primary circuit of heated air in indirect contact with a secondary circuit of air, wasting a portion of air from the secondary circuit of heated air and replenishing with fresh air, recirculating the said secondary circuit of' heated air through the said enclosure, and automatically regulating the circulation of the said primary circuit of heated air in indirect contact with the said secondary circuit of air to control the temperature of the said enclosure. v

5. Heating apparatus, comprising means for heating water, means for circulating the heated water in direct contact with air, means for circulating the heated air in indirect contact with one or more enclosures, means for automatically regulating the temperature of the said heated Water, and means for automatically replacing the said heated water with colder water to prevent the average temperature of the said enclosures from exceeding some predetermined degree.

6. Heating apparatus, comprising means for heating water, means for circulating the heated water in direct contact with a primary circuit of air, means for circulating the primary circuit of heated air in indirect contact with a secondary circuit of air, means for wasting a portion of air from the secondary circuit of heated air and replenishing with fresh air, means for recirculating the said secondary circuit of heated air through enclosures, means for automatically regulating the temperature of the said heated water, and means for automatically replacing the said heated water with colder water to prevent the average temperature oi.' the said enclosures from exceeding some predetermined degree.

7. The method of cooling one or more enclosures, which comprises circulating cool water in direct contact with air and circulating the cooled air in indirect contact lwith the said enclosures.

8. The method of cooling one or more enclosures, which comprises circulating cool water in direct contact with a primary circuit of air, circulating the primary circuit of cooled air in indirect contact with a secondary circuit of air, wasting a portion of air from the secondary circuit of cooled air and replenishing with fresh air, and circulating the said secondary circuit of cooled air through the said enclosures.

9. The method of controlling the temperature of one or more enclosures, which comprises circulating cool Water in direct contact with air, circulating the cooled air in indirect contact With the said enclosures, Wasting a portion of the cool Water and replenishing with cold water, and

automatically regulating the amount of cold water added to the cool water to control the average temperature of the said enclosures.'

l0. The method of controllingthe temperature of one or more enclosures, which comprises circulating cool water in direct contact witha primary circuit of air, circulating the primary circuit of cooled airin indirect contact with a secondary circuit of air, wasting a portion of air from the said secondary circuit of cooled air and replenishing with fresh air, circulating the said secondary circuit of cooled air through the said enclosures, wasting a, portion of the coolv water and-replenishing with cold water, and automatically regulating the amount of cold water added to the cool waterto control the average temperature of the said enclosures.

11. In heating apparatus using moist air as a heat conveying medium, the combination of means for causing a circuit of water, means for causing a circuit of air, means for heating the said circuit of water, means for directly contacting the said circuit of air with the circuit of heated water and for transferring water vapor from the heated water to the air, means for indirectly contacting the'said circuit of water with waste heat from the said means for heating the 40 circuit of water, means for automatically adding water, means for automatically wasting water, and means for automatically sealing the said circuit oi air against loss of water vapor.

12. In heating apparatus using moist air as a heat conveying medium, a case having in the lower portion means for heating water, in the upper portion means for atomizing and directly contacting the heated water with a flow of air, in the middle portion means for indirectly contacting the waste water from the upper portion with waste heat from the lower portion, and means for circulating water through the said lower portion, the said upper portion, and the said middle portion.

13. In heating apparatus using moist air as a heat conveying medium, the combination of means for causing a circuit of water, means for causing a circuit of air, means for heating the said circuit of water, means for Yusing the heated Water for `heating the said circuit of air, means for automatically'adding water, means for automatically wasting water, and means for automatically sealing the said circuit of air against loss oi' water vapor.

LEONARD E. lROLLINS. 

